I have completed my first piece for SewCalGal's The FMQ Challenge 2012. This month June - is Cindy Needham, which I have REALLY been looking forward to. How wonderful that she is able to freely pass on her knowledge to us all. Thank you so much Cindy! First Sample - I have some photos of the steps I took to sandwich and draw on the chosen fabric. The backing has been starched and ironed, I have used a wool batting and blue satin for the top. All layers have been pinned together ready for fixing together My piece has been zig zagged together and marked with a Marvy purple disappearing ink pen. The only problem I have with this is you need to get it sewn fairly soon after marking, as it truley does disappear. The large squares are 1" and the smaller ones are 1/2 " Here is the back of my piece. Only the squares were drawn - it was all FMQ on my DSM I used a 70 Top Stich needle, Aurifil 50 thread top and bobbin. The tension was 3.0 eventually! Yesterday I got these fabrics .. The grean is silk satin I think.. The gold is Dupioni And the last two are some sort of satin that I will use to practis on. I have had issures with tension as I am using the 440QE...but for the moment it is sorted, and I am off to work out some more. I am SO looking forward to when my 820 comes back Oh - I nearly forgot. I have joined the Superior Thread University to learn more about threads...I have been preparing to do the first of the monthly lessons. I have some new thread a lovely folder and it really sounds so interesting...oh and a DVD.